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Castle Review: Secret Santa

The holiday season is upon us, Castle fans, as this ABC favorite kicked off the month of December with its Christmas-themed episode,"Secret Santa."

There were traditions being broken, new ones being started and a dead Santa crime to solve. Time to discuss...

Santa Fell From The Sky. The weekly case centered around the murder of a man who worked as a Santa during the holiday season. He had taken the job after giving up his Wall Street life because of his company’s actions. It had inflated mortgages, causing many families to lose their homes and Santa Edmund decided to take it upon himself to help one of those out.

Dressing up as Saint Nick is pretty much the perfect disguise. Working a holiday party, Edmund planned to get documents from his old company to prove the case for the families... until he was shot... by his ex-wife. Talk about a holiday downer!

You have to give credit to the man, changing his entire life around to make someone else’s better. This is definitely the kind of message you want to hear this season. Even if it is wrapped up in a murdered red and green bow.

First Christmas. The holiday marked a big occasion for the best detective couple on TV. Castle had invited Beckett to share their first Christmas, but she instead decided to work. At first, this was a bit annoying. The couple makes these forward movements and then pause because of pressure. Turns out Kate always works because the holidays remind her of her mother (totally acceptable). Time to change it up, though, girl. And change it up she did, by showing up at Castle’s door. Could they be any cuter?

The writers have found a way to keep the relationship solid and enjoyable without making the entire show centered around. The two work as a couple and as partners and that even balance is what is still bringing so many viewers to their living rooms on Monday nights.

Side note: how awesome were Castle’s Christmas decorations?!? Any way I can get him to come decorate my house?

Moving Forward. The tradition of a six-pack and video games between the best bromance on TV was broken now that Ryan is married. First, let me say that this sounds like an awesome tradition and I know I am not alone in thinking so. Second, the conversation between the two about Jenny wanting to have kids and Javi telling Ryan he is ready was so genuine. These two characters really seem like the perfect best friends. Plus, Javi’s dance with Jenny’s gift was hysterical.

Espo continues to make his presence felt. The character has really evolved since being a background player, thanks to some great writing from Marlowe and company. The relationship between Lanie and him used to be something to root for. These days? Not so much. This character has earned himself a real relationship and screen time to back it. Showing up at the family’s door to return their clock was so sweet. I even found myself hoping for a holiday hookup between him and the mother. That was a long shot.

Overall, an enjoyable Christmas episode from Castle. It was as light hearted and fun as possible, considering it revolved around a dead Santa. “Secret Santa” had some great lines you can check out on the Castle Quotes page and, as always, don’t forget to return later in the week for our Castle Round Table.

Looks like no new episodes until after the holidays. While this may be a complete bummer to us Castle-rs, it gives us the entire month to predict what will take place in the second half of Castle Season 5. Until then, TV Fanatics.

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SA•December 06, 2012 04:23

I give the episode 4.7 stars. I didn't vote, because I couldn't find any stars to click on. How do you do that??Like the rest of you, I like the Javi/Ryan bromance, but I would also like to meet Jenny. I'm glad Javi didn't end up alone on Christmas Eve. I don't remember why he and Lani broke up, and I'm happy that she is no longer snubbing him, but it seemed to be a sudden change, making me wonder if I'd missed something that led up to it. Lastly, I was truly glad that Kate showed up at Castle's door, because I would have been mad if he left his too-perfect family's dinner table after they'd sacrificed their plans for him.

Great holiday episode - The entire cast moving from strength to strength...

Maria•December 05, 2012 15:08

Like you, initially I was annoyed by Beckett's lying about that she had to work on the holidays, but I was very impressed by the fact that we got some actual communication between them. I think it shows a lot of growth that Castle confronted her about it and asked her why she wanted to work. I love how they're treating this couple, I really do.

maria•December 05, 2012 09:51

I loved the episode, loved that every cast member had a moment, loved Castle and Beckett moments. And I donÂ´t think that bringing KateÂ´s mother was over the top; had it not be mentioned in the first Christmas episode ever would be strange, IMO. Anyone that has lost someone dear (family or friend, no matter) knows those the festivities are the hardest times - I will forever miss my grandparents, and there isnÂ´t a Christmas I donÂ´t remember and miss those tables full with family, joy and fun:)Anyway, like the door "said" in the end of the episode: MERRY CHRISTMAS!:)

"How awesome were Castle's Christmas decorations?" said the reviewer, and I said the exact same thing when I saw his apartment..those decorations rocked! I so wanted him to come to my place and decorate our tree! This was just the loveliest episode, full of warmth and humor and family...the last few minutes, when Beckett showed up at Castle's doorstep and Javi showed up to take those folks back their clock, were just heartwarming and wonderful. I just hope that Javi finds the love of his life (it would be great if he'd get back together with Lani) and had as much romance in his life as Castle and Ryan do in theirs. Even Gates wasn't so annoying in this ep. All in all, one of my favorites of the year! Thanks writers, cast and crew for Castle for a great entrance to the holidays!

Zoe•December 05, 2012 02:33

OH YA, that was a good episode! I watched it like six times today because I had the day off! Then when I scrolled through my emails today I found one about the review for he show so I decided to read it! I felt like I watched the show over again this being the seventh time! Truley great tv shows like this one only come around occasionally and I'm glad I was here for this one! I love caslte- "I am really ruggedly handsome, aren't I"!

karkar•December 04, 2012 21:52

Loved the first cut to comercial with the candy cane going thru the word CASTLE, very ingenious. Was surprised that Castle lived with his mom in a tiny apartment growing up and at times things got bad. I thought he went to private schools! Boy wait till he meets his dad next year bet things will get hot between them,especially if the father never gave any child support to Martha. Of course knowing Martha, she probably never told the father about Rick being born.

dagwood•December 04, 2012 21:01

I liked the holiday episode. If I was in love, like Castle, then surely I would have expressed that love with a Christmas gift..surely the man is a writer, a poem for her to find when he left for the night, or a little gift... a well.. still a good episode... I miss some of the cases where they have each other's back and one or the other saves the other's life. They have done a great job of keeping the workplace friendship rolling along, but the romance is there.. kudos!

Barb•December 04, 2012 20:11

This show just doesn't get old. Or boring. This was a great episode for the Season and just right with the caring and sharing.

Jo•December 04, 2012 19:57

This was a great episode and hit a home run for the entire cast. The killer was a no brainer, but who cares. Love this show completely and without a care and am just sorry it won't be on until early January. Boo Hoo.